Convict Tangs(Acanthurus triostegus)

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Convict
Tangs or Acanthurus
triostegus are members of the
family Acanthuridae.
This prisoner has a rather
extensive habitat. Natural breeding grounds are the coral reefs systems
from Japan,
throughout all of Micronesia,
south of Australia
to Lord Howe Island and east all the way to Panama.
A subspecies of this fish, sandvicensis,
is prevalent along the coastlines of the Hawaiian Islands.
Most convicts sold in the US
are imported from Hawaii.

Convicts
are a medium sized fish.
They grow to a maximum adult length of 7 inches. They have the narrow
oval
shaped bodies common to tangs. This fish is whitish silver or yellow in
color.
Their name is derived from the zebra-like vertical striping on their
bodies.
This striping resembles an old prison uniform from the chain gang era.

Although
tangs are not generally
considered aggressive, the convict is the most peace loving of the
group. It
will make a wonderful addition to a community tank provided it is
surrounded
with equally docile fish. They are very active swimmers and will add
plenty of
movement and visual interest to any home aquarium. Convicts are reef
safe in
tanks that contain anchored animal as opposed to plant life. They may,
however,
nibble on soft coral on rare occasions. This is a schooling species. In
nature
they commonly school by the thousands. Multiples can be kept in an
aquarium
without fear of territorial behavior. Many tangs demonstrate a
propensity for
aggression toward similar species. Convicts may be bullied by other
tangs in
the confines of an aquarium. Aggressive tendencies can be lessened by
having an
established school of convicts in an aquarium prior to the introduction
of
another tang. Convicts require a minimum tanks size of 75 gallons.
Multiples
will naturally need a larger aquarium.

This
is a hardy somewhat disease
resistant fish. They will readily adapt to aquarium life. They carry a
moderate
care level and can be kept by aquarist of lesser experience. They
thrive in a
heavily oxygenated environment. Increased oxygen levels can easily be
accomplished by the addition of multiple air stones to an aquarium.
Since all
marine animals are oxygen breathers this will not prove in anyway
detrimental
to the other members of the community.

All
tangs are surgeonfish. If you
have never owned a surgeonfish you should be aware of a cautionary note
before
purchasing one. All surgeonfish have razor sharp scale adaptations at
the base
of their caudal fins; hence the name surgeonfish. Convicts have a
single
retractable set of blades on either side of their body. Extreme caution
should
be practiced in the handling of this species.

Convicts
are technically
herbivores although they would be more correctly labeled as algaevores.
Although algae have many of the characteristics consistent with the
plant
kingdom (including photosynthesis) they are currently classified in a
category
unto themselves. They are considered neither plant nor animal. Algae
exists in
a multitude of forms; from microscopic unicellular life forms to the
largest
members of the Eukaryote Domain most commonly referred to as seaweed.

As
inmates in your institution,
all prisoners are in your protective custody. Convicts should be fed
omnivorous
based marine foods with a heavy concentration of algae. An abundance of
live
rock is mandatory for insure nutrition. Regular supplements of dried
algae sheets
will help your convicts maintain their fit and vigor.